Separatist, mainstream politicians join hands to 'safeguard' Article 35-A

 In a significant development, the mainstream and the separatist politicians of Kashmir on Sunday joined hands to “fight for safeguard” of Article 35-A and to seek a special session of the state Assembly in this regard.

Sources said the development took place at a round table meeting called by the mercurial lawmaker, Engineer Rashid who had invited both separatists and mainstream leaders. The civil society faces were also invited.

Insiders privy to the RTC held in Srinagar said Rashid was sitting next to senior separatist leader and former chief of pro-independence JKLF, Javid Ahmed Mir and Muzaffar Shah of Awami National Conference. Shah is the brother-in-law of former Chief Minister and opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

It was for the first time that mainstream and separatist leaders were seen sharing table. Apart from others, senior religious leader Mufti Nasir Ul Islam and representatives of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation and some prominent lawyers were also present.

Talking to media persons, Rashid said he would soon call on hardline Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Geelani and his moderate Hurriyat counterpart Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to seek 'unity' on the matter of Article 35-A.

The meeting that lasted for around three hours concluded with the passing of a resolution that the “people of Kashmir including politicians and civil society members would jointly work for safeguard for the safeguard of Article 35 A.”

Apart from resolving to fight the case in Supreme Court, the RTC passed a resolution to seek an emergency session of the Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution in favour of safeguard of the Article 35-A, before August 29 when the case is listed for hearing.

The panellists, as per insiders said, a delegation of “civil society members will also be sent to Jammu to apprise the people there about the developments with regard to the importance of the Article 35-A.”